The POWER List 2022: Rudy Telscher

Husch Blackwell, St. Louis

Calling him “one of the country’s premier intellectual property litigators”, Rudy Telscher’s firm bio stresses his track record of success.

“With only one exception, Rudy has not lost a trial, arbitration or other case-dispositive motion in well over a decade,” it says, noting the sole less favorable outcome was jury verdict ten times lower than the amount sought in closing. “During this time, and for each case not settled following decision, Rudy has been affirmed on appeal.”

Among his successes was a big victory for a software product distributor in a case against the Major League Baseball Players Association that dealt with attempts to control and possibly monopolize fantasy baseball. Despite opposition amicus briefs from the NFL, NBA, NHL and NASCAR, the 1990 University of Iowa alum prevailed in district court and was affirmed on appeal, preserving the independence of a $1.5 billion a year industry. He also represented CBS on First Amendment grounds in a case against the National Football League Players Association regarding the use of player images and names.

Additionally, Telscher, recipient of an Influential Appellate Advocate Award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly, provided lead counsel representation in Octane Fitness LLC v. Icon Sports before the U.S. Supreme Court in an appeal over the denial of attorneys’ fees in a patent infringement case. Telscher’s clients have included Hunter Engineering, Synergetics, Nations Mortgage and Triumph Pharmaceuticals.